Thousands attend St Albans Food and Drink Festival

Visitors tried out the free cheese samples at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

More than 15,000 people filled the city centre for the ‘Feastival’, a highlight of the annual, ten-day event, and browsed over 75 stalls showcasing a variety of food and drink products, many from local suppliers.

The event featured a cookery theatre, a pop-up restaurant and a farm provided by Oaklands College. There was also live music, children’s workshops, a display of butchery skills, a cocktail and real ale bar on a village green and a champagne bus.

Visitors tried out the free cheese samples at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

The Food and Drink Festival, which celebrates its 10th birthday this year, runs until Saturday, October 7.

Cllr Beric Read, portfolio holder for business and the community at St Albans district council, said: ““The street party gets better and better every year and I am thrilled that we achieved record crowds despite the occasional spot of rain.

The cheese stall was popular at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A young lady holding a drink at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A close up of bread being sold at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A queue for the Pudding Shop coffee van. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A cook stirs up a large paella during the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A man serves a portion of paella during the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A stall holder pours out batter for a crepe during the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A stall holder serves up some food during the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Phil Thompson (L) performing a cookery masterclass during the St Albans Food and Drink Festival Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A market stall holder cooks his sausages for the food festival goers. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A young man is pleased with his purchase of a flame grilled burger. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A young man buys a flame grilled burger. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Two men hold fresh cooked pizzas. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Emily Sharp (8) and her sister Annie (7) had their faces painted during the St Albans food festival. They had been to the Harvest Festival at the Cathedral with the 8th St Albans brownie pack. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Oaklands College had a live demonstration of butchery skills which started with a whole pig being butchered. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A stall holder hands over a sample of his olives to a lady. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A stall holder displays his turkish pastries Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Turkish delight for sale at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Colourful salad buckets at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A cook stirs a large paella. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Staff from SA Law handed out balloons to visitors. Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

Three ladies enjoy food at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

A young couple enjoy their food at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))

St Peters Street was packed with visitors at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2017 Picture: Craig Shepheard (Image: FM Expert Ltd 2017 (C))